verb (used without object)
1.
to utter a loud, prolonged, mournful cry, as that of a dog or wolf.
2.
to utter a similar cry in distress, pain, rage, etc.; wail.
3.
to make a sound like an animal howling: The wind howls through the trees.
4.
Informal. to go on a spree; enjoy oneself without restraint.
verb (used with object)
5.
to utter with howls: to howl the bad news.
6.
00:10
Howl
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is kibitz. Does it mean:
| to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle. |
| chat, to converse |
noun
7.
the cry of a dog, wolf, etc.
8.
a cry or wail, as of pain, rage, or protest.
9.
a sound like wailing: the howl of the wind.
10.
a loud, scornful laugh or yell.
11.
something that causes a laugh or a scornful yell, as a joke or funny or embarrassing situation.
Origin:
1300–50; Middle English hulen, houlen (v.); cognate with Dutch huilen, Low German hülen, German heulen, Danish hyle; akin to Old Norse ȳla
1300–50; Middle English hulen, houlen (v.); cognate with Dutch huilen, Low German hülen, German heulen, Danish hyle; akin to Old Norse ȳla
Related forms
out·howl, verb (used with object)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To howl
Collins
World English Dictionary
howl (haʊl) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a long plaintive cry or wail characteristic of a wolf or hound |
| 2. | a similar cry of pain or sorrow |
| 3. | slang |
| a. a person or thing that is very funny | |
| b. a prolonged outburst of laughter | |
| 4. | electronics an unwanted prolonged high-pitched sound produced by a sound-producing system as a result of feedback |
| —vb | |
| 5. | to express in a howl or utter such cries |
| 6. | (intr) (of the wind, etc) to make a wailing noise |
| 7. | informal (intr) to shout or laugh |
| [C14: houlen; related to Middle High German hiuweln, Middle Dutch hūlen, Danish hyle] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
howl
c.1220, houlen, probably of imitative origin. Howler "glaring blunder, ridiculous mistake" is first recorded 1890.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Slang Dictionary
howl definition
|
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Example sentences
At dawn or dusk the coyote can be heard calling in a series of yelps followed by a long howl.
It is a long and clear howl not interrupted by short yaps and barks.
The call known as the wail is easily heard over long distances, sounding similar to a wolf's howl.
To the human ear, the long, drawn-out howl sounds lonesome and mournful.
Nearby Words
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